Learn to Relax in a Rushed Moment
What does someone do to relax in a rushed moment? When you can’t slow down and you need to get stuff done it’s hard to relax and enjoy what you are doing. There is an internal pushing that occurs to accomplish the task.
I believe you need to form a relationship with this feeling in order to understand how to accomplish a relaxed push. It’s easier to slow down any task to a crawl, take a break, or give up on doing whatever it is that needs to get done. The problem with slowing down or stopping is that we fall behind. You need to internally balance out your push so you don’t feel rushed, but at the same time still get stuff done.
My company has a monthly document it must mail out to the board members and it’s my job to edit and format the 100 page document. There are some days, no fault of my own, that we come down to the 6pm wire. The mail must reach the post office by 6pm or it won’t go out that day, unless someone drives it to the main post office, which is a thirty minute drive during rush hour. The main post office sends out mail as late as 9pm. In the back of my mind, when I can see that the 6pm deadline won’t be met I remind myself of the second option. By creating that second option I’m able to slow down by just 10% and reduce my errors. If we don’t meet that 9pm deadline (which has never happened) then it will just have to be late. There is only so much one person can do. My third option – tell myself that I did all I could do and it just wasn’t meant to be. I know this is hard to accept, but sometimes it’s the best choice. If I don’t receive information that I need to put in the 100 page document and because of that I don’t make the deadline then I really don’t want to work at the job.
By giving myself other options I’m helping myself stay relaxed. When you have a plan A, B, and C and maybe a G then you won’t feel trapped within the internal rush. Options are important to keeping a steady push going, so you accomplish what needs to get done without freaking out.
My last flat tire in my work’s parking lot was frustrating because I stayed late and all I wanted to do was go home. I screamed and ranted, making my emotions more intense. I blamed everything for my lousy situation: my car, cell phone, the universe, and myself. I allowed myself to scream and cry, but got it over with then moved on to my options.
When you can make a plan for your emotions you’ll have an easier time dealing with them.
1. I could walk to a pay phone (my cell phone died)
2. Change the tire in the dark
3. Put on my favorite song – do a “Flat tire dance†then try to change my tire.
I picked option 3 and got it done. By directing my thoughts towards making the moment fun my emotions followed suit and forgot about the negative feelings.
Try to find that space inside of yourself that allows you to work at a relaxed push. It’s not easy and you’ll have to be playful as you go along, but it’s better than the alternative of stressing out then lashing out at a family member, co-worker, or a friend. Stay aware of how your body is reacting to a situation, don’t just plow through the work until you get to the end then deal with the emotional backlash. By staying aware of your thoughts and options you can learn to enjoy a relaxed push – getting what you need done and doing it in the time frame that is best for everyone.
